Presidents Winter 99 Newsletter

1999 has kicked off with a Surge of ACTIVITY for the USJJF! As you hopefully know by now, the USJJF Board of Directors held their "Election of Officers Meeting" last December and I am pleased to announce that I was elected as your new President of our Federation, effective January 1^st 1999. The newly elected officers of the USJJF are as follows: has kicked off with a Surge of ACTIVITY for the USJJF! As you hopefully know by now, the USJJF Board of Directors held their "Election of Officers Meeting" last December and I am pleased to announce that I was elected as your new President of our Federation, effective January 1^st 1999. The newly elected officers of the USJJF are as follows:

President – Bruce R. Bethers, Reno, Nevada
Vice President – Robert M. Carver, Houston, Texas
General Secretary – Bruce G. Butler, Anaheim, California
Treasurer – John F. Chatwood, Carson City, Nevada

In accordance with the guidance of the Board of Directors (and the Constitution & By-Laws), the Corporate Office and USJJF National Headquarters has been moved to Reno, Nevada (the Location of the Federation’s President). I have many important and exciting topics to address in this newsletter!

Here’s the latest UPDATE on our USJJF Programs, Events and Policies. This Newsletter covers the following topics:

The new USJJF Official Website.

UPDATE on USJJF/JJIF Affiliation.

JJIF International Events.

EMGAM ("Every Member Get a Member") USJJF Membership Campaign!

Growth in "RJJOs" – Regional Ju-Jitsu Organizations.

USJJF’s Expanded Referee Training & Certification Program.

USJJF Competition Program.

Expansion of USJJF "Partners & Affiliates".

US JU-JITSU National Rank System.

New USJJF Certificates & Cards being DESIGNED & PRINTED!

USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions.

Official USJJF Sportswear and Awards Merchandise Program.

USJJF’s Police Self-Defense Instructors (PSDI) Program

Hopefully by now, many of our Members & Friends have visited the Official USJJF Website and have realized that we have established a "Communication Vehicle" which is making a Major Impact in the Ju-Jitsu Community! We have established unique Federation Goals which have already gained considerable support from many Ju-Jitsu Groups and Organizations. As I write this Newsletter, USJJF Leaders are adding more "Working Partnerships" with other Ju-Jitsu & Martial Art Organizations in order to further develop American Ju-Jitsu. Seems the "WORD" is getting out! USJJF currently represents literally thousands of Dedicated Ju-Jitsuka. As USJJF Leaders, it is up to us to carry the USJJF "Banner" & set the "Standard" in encouraging our Students and Associates to become USJJF members as well.

USJJF’s purpose is to UNITE all American Ju-Jitsuka into a GRAND ALLIANCE and to accomplish what sometimes in the past has seemed nearly "impossible" in the political environment of many other martial art organizations.. We have the opportunity to establish a TRUE NETWORK of Dedicated Ju-Jitsuka. The Sharing of Knowledge in Technical Excellence, History, Character Development, Self Discipline, Leadership & Traditions (to mention only a few) is something of Great Value that we need to Protect for the "Next Generation" of Ju-Jitsuka.

USJJF Official Website. For some time, Ju-Jitsu Internet "Surfers" found the USJJF Website connected to USA Karate Federation’s Website. However, with the increase number of US Ju-Jitsu Inquiries & required communications it became very evident that USJJF needed a separate website to provide expanded information and interaction with its US Ju-Jitsu Members & Friends. As the New Year began, our new Vice-President & Webmaster, Sensei Robert Carver set up our New Official Website! Although this Website is only 26 days old, we have already had nearly 1000 visits! USJJF’s Official Website has become a major vehicle in "Sharing Knowledge" to Ju-Jitsuka all over the World. For some time, Ju-Jitsu Internet "Surfers" found the USJJF Website connected to USA Karate Federation’s Website. However, with the increase number of US Ju-Jitsu Inquiries & required communications it became very evident that USJJF needed a separate website to provide expanded information and interaction with its US Ju-Jitsu Members & Friends. As the New Year began, our new Vice-President & Webmaster, Sensei Robert Carver set up our New Official Website! Although this Website is only 26 days old, we have already had nearly 1000 visits! USJJF’s Official Website has become a major vehicle in "Sharing Knowledge" to Ju-Jitsuka all over the World. For some time, Ju-Jitsu Internet "Surfers" found the USJJF Website connected to USA Karate Federation’s Website. However, with the increase number of US Ju-Jitsu Inquiries & required communications it became very evident that USJJF needed a separate website to provide expanded information and interaction with its US Ju-Jitsu Members & Friends. As the New Year began, our new Vice-President & Webmaster, Sensei Robert Carver set up our New Official Website! Although this Website is only 26 days old, we have already had nearly 1000 visits! USJJF’s Official Website has become a major vehicle in "Sharing Knowledge" to Ju-Jitsuka all over the World.

Our Website has become the "Ju-Jitsuka Communication Vehicle" on the World Wide Web. Our Webmaster, Sensei Carver is doing a SUPER JOB developing & expanding the USJJF Official Website! If you don’t have internet access at work or home, ask a student or associate to show you USJJF’s Website (www.usjjf.org) on their computer. There is already a "TON" of FREE Resource Materials available to you and your students on USJJF’s Official Website just waiting for you to "download" on the printer. "Student handouts", Articles (written by Ju-Jitsu Leaders), Photographs, Clip Art, Rank System Information, History & much more are all available "FREE" to anyone interested in US Ju-Jitsu! This is a wonderful Opportunity to express yourself as a "Author" of Ju-Jitsu Philosphy, Technique, History or other interesting Ju-Jitsu subjects. By the way, USJJF Members can low cost INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE through our Website. Check our website’s front page for details.
UPDATE on USJJF/JJIF Affiliation. The United States Ju-Jitsu Federation was founded in 1971, and is the National Governing Body of Ju-Jitsu in the United States under the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). The USJJF is the USA National Member of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation, the Pan American Budo Federation, General Association of International Sports Federations and the International World Games Association.

What does National Governing Body mean? Simply, if Ju-Jitsu is to receive recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), then the IOC requires that International and National Governing Organizations be established to standardize rules and other requirements. The Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) is the officially recognized International organization while the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is the National organization for the United States under the JJIF. As of 1998, the JJIF is a Full Member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the International Federations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). While Ju-Jitsu has not yet become an Olympic Sport, it has already become a member of the Olympic Family of Sports through the GAISF, and has conducted international and world level championships of its own and in the World Games. The JJIF will again conduct world level competition in the World Games 2001 in Japan.

JJIF International Events. Over the past 20 years, the USJJF has conducted Regional and National Championships under the guidance of the JJIF Rules of Competition and has sent National Teams to both JJIF International and World Championships. This past November (1998), as Vice-President of USJJF, I was honored to represent the United States as the Official Delegate to the JJIF World Championships in Berlin Germany. It was a wonderful experience, making New Friends, observing Outstanding Ju-Jitsu Competition and preparing for International Exchange Programs for American Ju-Jitsuka! On January 30^th, I attended the JJIF International Referee Training Camp in the Italian Alps. This was a wonderful opportunity to network with leaders from many of the JJIF's National Federations and to build at relationships that will aid in the development of Ju-Jitsu both here in the US and worldwide. The USJJF Referee Committee is now in the process of finalizing the new "Train the Trainer" Referee Course. Beginning in March 99, the USJJF will begin conducting Regional Referee Certification Courses across the USA!

Upcoming JJIF Events include:

JJIF General Assembly (JU-JITSU CONGRESS) in Israel from 23 to 25 April 1999.

JJIF Summer Training Camp in Corfu, Greece from 11 to 17 July 1999.

JJIF Continental Championships in Israel from 26 to 28 November 1999.

JJIF Winter Training Camp and Open Championships in Spain from 20 to 26 February 2000.

JJIF General Assembly (JU-JITSU CONGRESS) in Paris France from 21 April to 23 April 2000.

JJIF Summer Training Camp in Italy from 23 to 29 June 2000.

JJIF World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark from 24 to 26 November 2000.

If you are interested in attending any of these events, please contact the National Office for details.

"EMGAM" – USJJF Membership Campaign. On behalf of the USJJF Board of Directors, I am pleased to announced the KICK-OFF of our 1999 EMGAM Campaign!! "EMGAM" means Every Member Get A Member! I am asking every USJJF Leader to make the commitment to recruit at least one New Member per Month during 1999! . On behalf of the USJJF Board of Directors, I am pleased to announced the KICK-OFF of our 1999 EMGAM Campaign!! "EMGAM" means Every Member Get A Member! I am asking every USJJF Leader to make the commitment to recruit at least one New Member per Month during 1999!

The GROWTH of your USJJF has "Jumped" to a membership Level that is approaching the level we need to ensure the ACHIEVEMENT of ALL our USJJF Goals & Objectives! As a Special Recognition, all USJJF Members that serve as "Membership Ambassadors" during this year’s EMGAM Campaign, will receive additional credit on their Membership Status towards becoming LIFE MEMBERS or achieving "Higher Level" LIFE MEMBERSHIP Status! Each "Ambassador" will receive credit on their membership equal to the dollar value of newly recruited memberships. This is a great way to become a USJJF Silver Life Member or Higher!

Growth of US Ju-Jitsu "RJJOs". The "BACKBONE" of our National Federation are USJJF's Regional Sport Organizations. This is where much of the National Programs are carried out by Dedicated American Ju- Jitsuka! For many years now, the RJJOs have organized and conducted much of the business of our Federation. This year, the Board of Directors has placed a "Special Emphasis" through its newly elected Officers and Nation-Wide Leaders to expand the number of RJJO’s throughout our Great Country for the Betterment of American Ju-Jitsu! Currently, we are contacting as many Ju-Jitsu Leaders and Martial Arts Organizations throughout the USA, offering to "WORK TOGETHER" in a GRAND ALLIANCE of American Ju-Jitsuka. In just the first few weeks of 1999, the USJJF has already established "Working Partnerships" with many Outstanding Organizations to further develop American Ju-Jitsu! One of our Top Goals is for Ju-Jitsu to achieve Full Olympic Status with the IOC. "TOGETHER", WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS GOAL! (Fragmented, we will never come even close…) Now is the TIME to put aside petty politics or power seeking and get on with business of Building American Ju-Jitsu for Future Generations! We need your help to organize an "RJJO" in your area and begin conducting Ju-Jitsu Programs to further Ju-Jitsu Technical Excellence, Fellowship and the Perfection of Human Character. Please take some time to review USJJF’s ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL for Regional Sports Organizations.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to "step forward" and become a National Leader in the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to "step forward" and become a National Leader in the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.

Please Note: Please Note:
Please Note: Please Note: All USJJF Leaders are Dedicated Volunteers working in accordance with the Constitution & By-Laws of our Non-Profit Corporation.

Expanded Referee Training & Certification. On January 30^th, I flew to Italy for the JJIF Winter Referee Training Camp. Now that I have returned, the USJJF Referee Committee will finalize the new National "Train the Trainer" Referee Program. Soon, we will begin conducting Referee Certification Courses in many major cities around the USA. The concept is to train "Trainers" who will be qualified to conduct USJJF Regional Referee Certification Courses to as many Ju-Jitsuka and other interested Martial Artists as possible. The USJJF will train and certify both Regional and National Certified Referees. Higher Level Referee Certification will also be available through the JJIF. Many more "Details" will soon be published on our Official Website at www.usjjf.org. Additionally, the JJIF's Summer Camp in Corfu, Greece will be taking place from July 11th to the 17th. The USJJF has been invited to attend and we hope to send several representatives to this event.
USJJF Competition Program. The USJJF will soon begin listing sanctioned Ju-Jitsu Competition Events throughout the country. With the GROWTH in the number of RJJO’s and USJJF Certified Referees, competition in the Internationally recognized JJIF Competition Rules will become very popular. Remember, the JJIF Competition Rules are the Federations. These "Rules" are now being used in the World Games and when Ju-Jitsu becomes an Olympic Sport, the JJIF Rules will be the "STANDARD"! So now is the time to "Get On Board", get trained in the JJIF Forms of Competition (both Free Fighting and the Self-Defense Duo) and become a USJJF National Ju-Jitsu Leader! Please download both the "RJJO" and the "JJIF Competition Rules" Manuals at your earliest convenience.
Expansion of USJJF "Partners & Affiliates". The United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is more than just a centralized national organization. Instead, the USJJF is composed of many Regional Ju-Jitsu Organizations (RJJO), that serve as State and Regional Associations under the USJJF banner. Additionally, the USJJF has other affiliate and partner organizations that work with us to achieve our goal to promote Ju-Jitsu in the United States. Visit our official Website at www.usjjf.org for a complete listing of our affiliates and partners. If you are interested in becoming an affiliate or partner of the USJJF, please contact our National Office at natlhq@usjjf.org or 775-851-8875.
US JU-JITSU National Rank System. As this newsletter is being written, the USJJF Central Technical Committee is currently working on "Up-Dating" the US JU-JITSU Rank Requirements. As the USA National Member of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation, the USJJF has established a National Standard for Ju-Jitsu Rank Requirements. This National Ju-Jitsu System is known as US JU-JITSU. The USJJF National Rank System was established so to provide a comprehensive Ju-Jitsu Rank System from White Belt to 10^th Degree Black Belt for all USJJF members. The US Ju-Jitsu System is provided for any USJJF Ju-Jitsuka that wishes to utilize the program. It is by no means, a required "system" that must be followed by USJJF members. The Mission of the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is to unify American Ju-Jitsuka with a foundation of mutual respect for all styles or systems of Ju-Jitsu and to provide services and guidance to foster Technical Excellence, Fellowship and Human Character Development. With our Mission Statement in mind, it is important to remember that there are many established ju-jitsu systems, as well as organizations throughout the USA. Ju-Jitsuka that are members of USJJF may use the US Ju-Jitsu Rank System or use their own systems. USJJF respects all styles or systems of Ju-Jitsu. In fact, USJJF invites all Martial Artists to include those from the Korean Martial Arts Community which train in such systems as Hapkido and Yudo. Any martial artists that wishes to participate in the USJJF/JJIF Ju-Jitsu Programs is very much WELCOME to join our Federation! Currently, many of our members regularly train in Hapkido and Yudo as well as Ju-Jitsu. Any form of "Jitsu" or "Jutsu" is WELCOMED in the USJJF. The "update" to the US Ju-Jitsu Rank System should be completed in approximately 60 days and will be published on our Website.
New USJJF Certificates & Cards. With the move of the National Office, the Board decided it was time to update our Federation Certificates! All new USJJF Certificates for Mudansha & Yudansha Rank, Charter Club Certification, Referee Certification, Instructor/Examiner Certification, etc, are all being designed. New Rank Certificates and "others" will be available by the end of February.
USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions. I would like to comment on USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions to ensure that all USJJF members understand the program. First of all, I want to emphasize that USJJF’s Rank Promotion Program is based on Non-Politics and is designed to ensure Fair Promotions for all USJJF members. The "Key Point" to remember is that Instructors test & promote their students in their own particular systems, and "IF" the USJJF members want to, they can also be promoted or register that Ju-Jitsu Rank with the National Office. All of the "Control on Promotions" is left in the hands of the Certified Instructor. However, some members don’t have a current sensei and that is where the USJJF Central Technical Committee can help to recognize Time in Grade, Technical Skill, Leadership, etc. of these individuals and make USJJF Rank Promotions when needed. One last but very important Point. The USJJF National Office will never directly contact a Sensei’s students and offer to promote them without the coordination and approval of the student’s Sensei. Although this practice does happen in some other organizations, it is our belief that Trust, Honor and Integrity must be upheld in the Martial Arts. I would like to comment on USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions to ensure that all USJJF members understand the program. First of all, I want to emphasize that USJJF’s Rank Promotion Program is based on Non-Politics and is designed to ensure Fair Promotions for all USJJF members. The "Key Point" to remember is that Instructors test & promote their students in their own particular systems, and "IF" the USJJF members want to, they can also be promoted or register that Ju-Jitsu Rank with the National Office. All of the "Control on Promotions" is left in the hands of the Certified Instructor. However, some members don’t have a current sensei and that is where the USJJF Central Technical Committee can help to recognize Time in Grade, Technical Skill, Leadership, etc. of these individuals and make USJJF Rank Promotions when needed. One last but very important Point. The USJJF National Office will never directly contact a Sensei’s students and offer to promote them without the coordination and approval of the student’s Sensei. Although this practice does happen in some other organizations, it is our belief that Trust, Honor and Integrity must be upheld in the Martial Arts. I would like to comment on USJJF’s Policy on Ju-Jitsu Rank Promotions to ensure that all USJJF members understand the program. First of all, I want to emphasize that USJJF’s Rank Promotion Program is based on Non-Politics and is designed to ensure Fair Promotions for all USJJF members. The "Key Point" to remember is that Instructors test & promote their students in their own particular systems, and "IF" the USJJF members want to, they can also be promoted or register that Ju-Jitsu Rank with the National Office. All of the "Control on Promotions" is left in the hands of the Certified Instructor. However, some members don’t have a current sensei and that is where the USJJF Central Technical Committee can help to recognize Time in Grade, Technical Skill, Leadership, etc. of these individuals and make USJJF Rank Promotions when needed. One last but very important Point. The USJJF National Office will never directly contact a Sensei’s students and offer to promote them without the coordination and approval of the student’s Sensei. Although this practice does happen in some other organizations, it is our belief that Trust, Honor and Integrity must be upheld in the Martial Arts.
Official USJJF Sportswear & Awards. I am pleased to announce that very soon (hopefully, by March ’99), USJJF will be making available through our website "Official USJJF Sportswear and Awards Merchandise"! Currently, we are working with a large sportswear and trophy company to provide "Top Quality" products for USJJF Members to enjoy and show off their pride in USJJF. Examples of the sportswear are such items as; USJJF Polo Shirts, Sweatshirts, Jackets, Bags, Hats, to mention only a few. We are also preparing to have "Custom Designed" Olympic-Type Medals made for use as Awards in USJJF Competition Events and other awards. More Details Soon!
Police Self-Defense Instructors. We are pleased to announce that the Police Self-Defense Instructors (PSDI) Institute once sponsored by the United States Karate Association is now "Back In Force". PSDI has been reorganized and revived by the USJJF! The "Details" of this comprehensive program will soon be announced on our Website!

Well this has been a "LONG" President’s Newsletter… Sorry about that, I had a lot of important information to pass on to you!

As Always, THANKS for all of your SUPPORT to your Federation.

Yours In Ju-Jitsu,

Bruce R. Bethers

This page, and all contents Copyright � 1998 - 2010 by the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation, Reno, NV.
The "United States Ju-Jitsu Federation", "USJJF", "US JU-JITSU", "USJJ", "USA Ju-Jitsu Federation",
"USAJJF", USA Traditional Kodokan Judo, "USA-TKJ" and our Logos are registered trademarks
of the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation, Reno, NV USA